A series of Chinese naval exercises in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand has alarmed leaders in both countries, who criticized China for not providing sufficient warning before conducting live-fire drills.
The drills, involving three Chinese warships, took place in international waters beneath a busy commercial flight path on Friday and Saturday. The maneuvers prompted some flights to change course suddenly when pilots were informed they were flying over a live firing exercise.
While there is no indication that China violated international law, analysts suggest this incident underscores growing regional tensions regarding China’s expanding influence. The Tasman Sea spans 1,200 miles (2,000 km) and is a critical area for both nations.
Australia’s Defense Minister Richard Marles acknowledged that the presence of Chinese vessels in the nation’s exclusive economic zone was “not unprecedented but unusual.”
Commercial flights between Australia and New Zealand were hastily diverted after airlines were alerted to the drills. Although live fire during Friday’s exercises has not been confirmed, a New Zealand navy ship observed firing associated with the maneuvers on Saturday.
New Zealand’s Defense Minister Judith Collins stated that she was seeking assurances from the Chinese embassy about future activities, noting that the notification about the exercises was given only “a couple of hours’ notice,” rather than the expected 12 to 24 hours.
Despite the concerns, both countries’ leaders stopped short of outright criticism of China’s actions, acknowledging their right to conduct military drills.
China is a major trading partner for both Australia and New Zealand, and the incident follows a period of improving relations between Beijing and Canberra. However, the situation may prompt the Australian government to reconsider its approach, as Michael Shoebridge, a former Australian defense official, pointed out that this stabilization has done little to mitigate China’s military assertiveness in the region.
In response to the accusations of inadequate notice, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian asserted that the vessels had “repeatedly issued safety notices in advance,” claiming that Australian leaders were making “unreasonable accusations” against China.
Analysts believe that the drills could be a reaction to Australia’s strengthening military ties with neighboring nations like Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam, all of which have territorial disputes with China.
Additionally, China’s efforts to forge security agreements with small island nations in the South Pacific have raised alarms in both Australia and New Zealand about the potential for heightened territorial tensions in their region. Shoebridge articulated the broader concerns, stating, “The last thing anyone in the South Pacific should want is the Chinese military bringing the tension and aggression they’ve shown in Southeast Asia and North Asia into our local neighborhood.”
Credit: ABC News
